XXVII. NEW ORIENTAL SEPSIN^. Bv E. Brunetti. The Acalypterate sub-family Sepsinse recently received a substantial addition to the number of its Eastern species by Herr Meijere's publication of eight new ones, in addition to javanica, a species he had established two years earlier. In the Indian Museum collection, this group is very liberally represented, and I now give descriptions of a number of new species therein contained, with notes on other known species and such new localities as the material presents. After careful exam-ination of over 500 specimens, representing nearly thirty species, I find, as stated by Herr Meijere, that it is unsafe to rely too much on certain characters as bases of classification. The usual number of dorso-central bristles is four, but the front pair are frequently reduced in size, or are absent ; in one specimen there was a distinct fifth bristle. The spiny bristles on the abdominal segments are also variable in size and, occasionally, in number. Moreover, all the bristles, also the spines on the fore femora, are very easily broken off, generall}^ leaving no trace of their presence. In addition to the two conspicuous bristles on the scutellum, there are often two other ver}^ small ones towards the sides of the anterior part, and the presence of small additional bristles is not at all rare. The two basal cells are in some species united by the absence of the intermediate veinlet, but this character is not invariably consistent, and in one specimen I found a supplementary veinlet joining the third and fourth longitudinal veins, in a line with, and apparently an extension of, the outer cross-vein. The extent of the greyish white dust on the sternopleurse is also more or less variable, and in some species, with an otherwise wholly black thorax, there is a tendency to a dark brown tinge on the shoulders and along the sides. In studying the species herein recognised, I have con-sidered all the above characters taken together, in preference to relying on any particular one. I do not feel able to present a satisfactory analytical table of species, but an approximate group-ing for the present will, at least, give the affinities of my new species. A. Wing with a distinct black spot near tip. B. Wing spot rather clearly cut, generally round or squarish. Two allied species form a first or cynipsea group ; these are cynipsea, L., and modesta^ Meij.
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